Weekend Update: Australia Day

Australia Day, 26 January, is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788.

Australia Day is celebrated with community events, spending time with friends and family or taking advantage of the national holiday to rest and relax! Australian citizens also have the opportunity to nominate someone who makes them proud to be an Australian. Those chosen for 2013 are pictured below.

From left to right. Australia’s Local Hero Shane Phillips Indigenous leader, Young Australian of the Year Akram Azimi Mentor, Australian of the Year Ita Buttrose AO OBE Media Icon, Senior Australian of the Year Prof. Ian Maddocks AM Palliative Care Specialist.

“On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what’s great about Australia and being Australian. It’s the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It’s the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future.”

In the Melanoma community Australia has been a leader in Melanoma research, prevention and awareness. Australia has the highest incidence of Melanoma in the world. Melanoma is often referred to as Australia’s National Cancer.

Melanoma is the third most common form of cancer in Australian men and women (10% of all cancers)

More than 11,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed in Australia every year

Melanoma makes up only 2.3% of all skin cancers but is responsible for 75% of skin cancer deaths.

The good news is that melanoma is often identifiable at an early stage where simple treatment can result in complete cure.

They developed the “Slip, Slap, Slop” campaign that aims to prevent skin cancer and raise awareness about the dangers of the sun. Australia was first to spearhead the fight against tanning salons by banning minors from using solariums (as they are called there.) There is also new law that will ban all tanning salons from operating come 2014!

Our neighbors down under have achieved great things–Happy Australian Day!